Efficacy of Therapeutic Interventions for Orthostatic Hypotension in Parkinson's Disease and Multiple System Atrophy

The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government.
Read our disclaimer for details.

Patients with Parkinson's Disease or Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), and symptoms of orthostatic hypotension, are eligible for the study. Each patient will have three weeks of conservative therapy, three weeks of therapy with fludrocortisone, and three weeks of therapy with domperidone. Autonomic testing, a symptom questionnaire, bedside blood pressure testing, and Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) will be performed after each intervention.

Enrolled patients, ages 40-95, must have Parkinson's or MSA, diagnosed by a neurologist, and symptoms of orthostatic hypotension. Each patient will fill out two validated questionnaires to determine if they are candidates for the study. Baseline patient details, such as their medications and UPDRS, will be recorded. Medications must be held stable during the period of the study.

Each patient will then have three weeks of conservative therapy, three weeks of therapy with fludrocortisone, and three weeks of therapy with domperidone. Autonomic testing, a symptom questionnaire, bedside blood pressure testing, and UPDRS will be performed after each intervention.

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.

Ages Eligible for Study:

40 Years to 95 Years (Adult, Senior)

Sexes Eligible for Study:

All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

Patients residing in Queensland Australia

Age 40-95

Parkinson's Disease or MSA diagnosed by a neurologist

Symptoms of orthostatic hypotension, as defined by 2 validated questionnaires